An intermediate luminosity optical transient (ILOTs) model for the young stellar object ASASSN-15qi

We construct a scenario where the outburst of the young stellar object ASASSN-15qi is an intermediate luminosity optical transient (ILOT). In this scenario, a sub-Jupiter young planet was tidally destructed on to a young main-sequence (MS) star. The system is young, and therefore the radius of the planet is larger than its final value; consequently, its density is smaller. The lower density allows the tidal destruction of the young Saturn-like planet on to the MS star of mass 2.4 M, resulting in the formation of a disc and a gravitationally powered ILOT. Unlike the case of the more energetic ILOT V838 Mon, the mass of the destructed planet is too low to inflate a giant envelope, and hence the merger remnant remains hot. If our suggested model holds, this ILOT possesses two interesting properties: (i) its luminosity and total energy are below those of novae; (ii) it is not as red as other ILOTs. The unusual outburst of ASASSN-15qi if indeed is an ILOT further increases the diversity of the already heterogeneous group of ILOTs. We mark the region on the energy time diagram occupied by such young ILOTs.